How Richard Dawkins Will Win You Over to His Side

How Richard Dawkins Will Win You Over to His Side

Many people would like to have a one-on-one argument with renowned professor, author, and all-around big thinker Richard Dawkins. He’s most one of the world’s most prominent public intellectuals and has written over a dozen books on matters as wide-ranging as atheism and science. Because he attacks such deeply held beliefs, many people disagree with him. But how is he so effective at what he does? Simple. He imagines his argument from the other side’s perspective. That way, Richard Dawkins posits, there’s a much higher chance that he can land his point. Richard Dawkins’ new book is Science in the Soul: Selected Writings of a Passionate Rationalist.

4 COMMENTS

@OP – He’s most one of the world’s most prominent public intellectuals and has written over a dozen books on matters as wide-ranging as atheism and science.

Actually, I would have thought that atheistic and scientific thinking were very closely related topics, although in terms of accurately and constructively informing human decisions without incorporating irrational or delusional notions, both are very wide-ranging!

Because he attacks such deeply held beliefs, many people disagree with him.

That is the nature of entrenched indoctrinated beliefs.

But how is he so effective at what he does?
Simple.
He imagines his argument from the other side’s perspective.

Indeed! – Any effective educator, needs to understand the level of understanding, and any misconceptions in need of correction, held by the recipients of communications.

The intellect. Should we be allowed to scrutinize the intellect? Or is that off limits? Are science and reason the factors that will save the earth or will they contribute to accelerate the race towards oblivion?
Scientific discoveries go strait to the giant corportations and to the military. Who will be the first to adopt AI? The military of course – in Russia and China. Is that scary? Absolutely. Are Putin and Xi Jinping religious? As far as I know they don’t give a shit about religion. Are they dedicated to science and reason? Without doubt, as long as it serves their interests.
Trump apparently is fundamentalist Christian. He wants to dig up more coal. So yes, he could do with a dose of science and reason.

Are science and reason the factors that will save the earth or will they contribute to accelerate the race towards oblivion?

Science provides us with effective methodology and honest information. What is done with that information, depends on people, commercial development priorities and politics.

Scientific discoveries go strait to the giant corporations and to the military.

They do if the politics of the country concerned has a legal framework which directs money for research in that way, and has secrecy or patent laws, making some discoveries exclusive to particular groups of people.

Who will be the first to adopt AI? The military of course – in Russia and China. Is that scary? Absolutely. Are Putin and Xi Jinping religious?

Putin certainly panders to certain religions to gain their support for his oligarch friends, and his position in government.

As far as I know they don’t give a shit about religion.

Putin certainly puts on a religious face and empowers religious laws, regardless of if he actually believes it.

Are they dedicated to science and reason? Without doubt, as long as it serves their interests.

They are dedicated to USE the technical innovations and products of science, but propaganda is their priority rather than evidenced reasoning.
Flat-Earthists and Young Earthists, still use the internet, television, and satellite relay-systems to spread their ignorant science denial!

Trump apparently is fundamentalist Christian.

I don’t know if Trump actually believes in anything other than personal power and personal greed!

Trump is a fundamentalist liar, who will say anything he thinks will manipulate an audience.